I am a retired firefighter/paramedic with 30 years experience, a
respiratory thearapist with over 10 years experience and a pilot/flight
instructor with about 2000 flight hours, I have also worked as a
photographer for a small daily newspaper, a second unit set medic on
several motion pictures and as an exotic animal trainer. I am
looking for a job or at least an idea for a position that combines at
least 2 of the above positions/skills. Although my favorite job has
been as a paramedic I am too old to work as a field paramedic, flying
does not pay enough to pay the bills and working in a hospital as a
respiratory therapist, while it pays well, is kind of boring.
Bottom line, I am looking for an interesting position that pays fairly
well, OFFERS GOOD JOB SECURITY and is not to awfully difficult to
find. I do not enjoy sales
I WILL GIVE A LARGE TIP FOR A VERY GOOD WELL THOUGHT OUT ANSWER

Hello lkf-ga,
What are your geographic limits? Opportunities in some/all of your
skills and talents will vary by location.
As a career counselor and job search coach I have to raise a red flag
about your requirement that the position "OFFERS GOOD JOB SECURITY."
In this day and age I don't think there are any jobs that offer "good
job security." In addition, how much is "pays fairly well?" I also
caution you about the difficulties of getting a job because of your
age. No one wants to admit it, but age discrimination is fairly
rampant. You are looking for a unique opportunity and companies /
organizations with run-of-the-mill jobs will not find you attractive.
You have a very interesting skill set but I don't know how to begin to
answer your question. What would constitute a satisfactory answer?
Your best bet might be to start your own business instead of looking
for a job.
I look forward to your clarification.
~ czh ~

Clarification of Question by
lkf-ga
on
02 Jun 2006 23:03 PDT

To: CZH,
Answers to your questions:
1, I am willing and able to move/work in almost any of the 48 states,
I am licensed as a respiratory therapist in TX, VT, PA and MA and as a
paramedic in TX and PA.
2, I am currently working in a hospital night shift as a respiratory
therapist and make around $55,000. per year, moneys good, job sucks.
Money isn't everything but I enjoy eating and playing.
3. Job security, pay checks that don't bounce and steady work.
4. I am 51 years old, and I am not looking for a run of the mill job.
5. I was in business for myself until 9/11 when I was grounded for 3
months and had to sell the business.
I hope the clarifies my question, if not let me know.

If you enjoy photography and like to work with animals, I have a
suggestion. An acquaintance of mine used to make a nice income in
northern California taking portrait-style photos of people's pets, in
their homes. He started his business by putting little ads on bulletin
boards in supermarkets and pet-supply stores, and gradually he got
enough word-of-mouth business that his slate was full and he was
turning people away.

Great idea, Pink.
It's wonderful how One Man businesses can flourish by Word of Mouth.
For example, I hired an Odd Job Man to do some work on my house. He
soon proved to be very talented and industrious, so I gave him more
work.
My next-door neighbour then recruited him, as did my Daughter #1, then
my Cleaner recommended him to her friend, and finally my Daughter #2
now wants him.
So, if the Questioner were to do a few great jobs ...
Who knows?
Me? I would start off in Tulsa where I know of a very wealthy lady
with over a hundred cats! (I bet that she has now lost count.)
PB

pinkfreud and probonopublico,
Good ideas, but at this time I am not in a position to start my own
business. I am still recovering from 9/11. As far as animal
photographer I tried it many years ago and unless ypu are really good,
which I am not. I was a small town news photographer and I am not an
artist or very artistic.
I guess what I am looking for is a "nich (sp)? job, something unusual,
differentor outright weird that pays the bills. There is little call
for freelance monkey trainers and if there were the pay sucks.

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